By Mark Klimaszewski – This May 4th, “Cinco De Mayo” weekend once again plays host to a boxing extravaganza featuring none other than undefeated pound for pound great, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Hoping to take his crown is multi-weight ‘world’ champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero. In many people’s eyes this should be Floyd’s toughest test since Oscar De La Hoya lost to him by a split decision, which incidentally was also on Cinco De Mayo weekend in 2007.
The Ghost has certainly seen his stock rise recently with a decent win over then-undefeated, but unheralded, Selcyk Aydin of Turkey and a thrilling but messy win over previous Welterweight WBC Champ Andre Berto; the fact he had to jump up two weight classes from 135lb to 147lb before pulling off these wins makes them even more impressive.
But is it a step too far to suggest Guerrero poses more of a threat than Miguel Cotto did last May? Indeed, Cotto was certainly past his best. Yet he put on a superb, skilled and hugely spirited performance against Mayweather, giving him his most hard-fought victory since his controversial win against Jose Luis Castillo in 2002. Also, that was at 154lb, a weight Cotto was more comfortable at than Mayweather. Yet the man known as “Money” still managed to end the night with a wide points win.
Robert Jackson: Floyd ‘Money ‘ Mayweather’s announced jump from HBO to Showtime has sent a shockwave throughout the fight world. Just like his previous announcement of Olympic style drug testing for every fight, which has now taken hold with other fighters namely Nonito Donaire – who requires testing for all of his bouts. Mayweather always the showman has eclipsed that announcement with a 6 fight Showtime deal, paying him a reported $250M.
By Barry Freeman
by Paul Strauss: Over the years, Floyd has been the brunt of a lot of criticism. Some have criticized him for the careful management of his career, which is a nice way of saying he’s avoided certain fighters, because they might prove damgerous. He also has been criticized for his style of boxing. Many consider it a less than fan friendly. A translation would be he’s not willing to take chances, which means less excitement for the fans. He is often methodical and calculating, setting his opponent up, willing to win by decision. He also has been criticized for engaging in double talk, having at times given the impression (leaked misinformation) he was planning to do this or that, only to later deny having said any such thing. And, of course he has been strongly criticized for allegedly being involved in soap opera like episodes outside of the ring ranging in everything from shootings to charges of abuse and assault. Apparently our legal system felt there was some truth to these allegations, because, he was incarcerated for a short time.
Top Welterweight Prospect, Dusty Hernandez-Harrison of Washington, D.C., kept his undefeated record intact scoring a six-round unanimous decision win over cagey veteran Aaron “Showtime” Anderson in the co-main event Saturday at Resorts Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.
By Michael Collins: Deontay Wilder, one of the more promising heavyweights in the division, found it interesting that the highly hyped British heavyweight David Price (15-1, 13 KO’s) couldn’t get past a less than his best 41-year-old Tony Thompson (37-3, 25 KO’s) last Saturday night at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England.